News / Climate conference
METEORLOGIST and former BBC Scotland forecaster Heather “the weather” Reid is to attend a small conference on climate change in Shetland next month, organised by Burradale wind farm owners Shetland Aerogenerators.
She will be joined by fellow meteorologist Alex Hill, also a former TV weatherman and now the Met Office’s chief adviser to the Scottish and Northern Irish governments.
They will host a question and answer session in Lerwick’s Mareel on Thursday 6 June, following the free screening of Thin Ice, Simon Lamb’s documentary film about the work of climate scientists around the world. The movie starts at 7pm.
The two day event, entitled Change, also includes the showing of another climate change movie, Chasing Ice, to local school pupils on the Thursday and Friday.
Reid said: “I think climate change is the biggest issue facing the global community. It is essential that young people are aware of this issue and how it affects everybody’s lives.”
Hill added: “Young people will bear the brunt of climate change and it is humbling to see their commitment to making a difference.
“It is their future that is at stake and for me it is marvellous to be involved in an event like this.”
There will also be a special unveiling of a new app depicting Shetland under higher sea levels – the likely consequence of warmer temperatures.
Two pieces of art commissioned by Shetland Aerogenerators with support from Shetland Arts, one visual and one written, will also be shown for the first time.
Shetland Aerogenerators director Angus Ward said: “This conference is not about pushing a particular point of view – climate science is a complicated subject – but about encouraging people to engage with one of the biggest issues of our time.
“So we are inviting folk of all opinions and of none, to come along to Mareel on Thursday 6th June to find out more.”
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